Mark 9:40.

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Mark 9:40

“For he who is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40 

In verses Mark 9:33-37, Jesus spoke to the disciples regarding their discussion on who was greatest. And this somewhat continues regarding non-disciples. John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to hinder him because he was not following us.” Mark 9:38. Because of the special and intimate relationship between Jesus and the twelve, John felt it important to notify Him of someone who was using Jesus’ name and power without the authority or approval to do so. Now it is apparent that this man knew of Jesus, or even knew Him from some time back, for He understood the power His name had. And John also told Jesus that he attempted to hinder what the man was doing because he was not a follower of Jesus as he and the others were.

However, Jesus did not approve of this. “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.” Mark 9:39. What He was telling them was if they see this person again, do not hinder him. Jesus opposed the narrow exclusivism of the twelve in telling them only Jesus or themselves had the right to do these things. In fact, the actions of the disciples were an abuse of their authority because Jesus, who actually had the authority, told them they were wrong. Then He adds this thought. “for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.” What He was saying was if anyone perform miracles, something man himself could never do, and does it in my name they will never deny or speak evil of Him. This is in contrast to those who do not do it in Christ’s name, but in another’s name or through their own name which will ultimately result in no miracle at all.

And then we come to our focus verse. “For he who is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40. Few if any of us are perfect in regard to our understanding of scripture. There are many that may be wrong in some aspect of their presentation or teaching, yet they still set forth Jesus in some manner. We must let God deal with them in a way He chooses. Paul saw many men preaching Jesus from many motives, yet he could rejoice that Christ was preached. “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.” Philippians 1:15-18. There are some who teach/preach Christ in ways that are not the best, “even from envy and strife.” I have sadly seen this in several places.

Two principles of immense importance are here laid down: First, no one will readily speak evil of Jesus who has the faith to do a miracle in His name; and second, if such a person cannot be supposed to be against Him, we are to consider him for Him. Let it be carefully observed that our Lord does not say this man should not have followed them, nor yet that He was indifferent whether he did or not; but simply teaches how such a person was to be regarded as one who honors His name and a promoter of His cause.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Romans 8:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 8:31 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31   

The apostle Paul has just declared the assurance those who love God have, that everything will work toward our good.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30.  Everything will definitely, without question, work toward our good if we place our trust in God.  He knew we would give our lives to Him, therefore He predestined us to be conformed to Christ. And because we are in His image, we are called to do His work on this earth, just as Christ was called to die for us.  And because of this, we are declared not guilty because of the work Jesus did on the cross.  And because we are justified, we will be glorified for He has already decreed it so.

Now we come to our focus verse.  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.  He starts out his answer to this rhetorical question with the following.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.  He has already freely given to us His Son, His only begotten Son, to pay the penalty for our sins.  If He did this, would He not also give us all things?  Because we are now justified due to the gift of His Son, we are now considered His children. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father! The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Roman 8:15-17. 

Then Paul asks a series of, again, rhetorical questions to solidify his point.  “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;” Romans 8:33.  No one can legitimately bring a charge against us because we have already been justified: He has paid the penalty for our sins.  He then asks, “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34.  Jesus died for us, then rose from the dead and is at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf declaring, in essence, ‘ The penalty has been paid.’  And lastly. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35.  The answer is found in the last two chapters of Romans 8.  “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39. 

So,  in answer to the question in our focus verse;  If God is for us, who can be against us?  People may not like us and plan evil against us, however, they can do nothing unless God allows it.  And if He does, then it is for our good.  But ultimately, they can do nothing that will cause us permanent harm, for our eternity has already been set.  Our sins have been forgiven, we have been justified by the shed blood of Christ, and He has already decreed we will be glorified and spend all eternity with our Heavenly Father and Jesus the Christ.  If anyone is against us, then it really does not matter.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Romans 8:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 8:31 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” – Romans 8:31   

 Paul starts out this chapter with the following verse, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.  And why is this true?  “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2.  Christ freed us from condemnation by His death on the cross.  This is how He set us free. 

In the gospel of John, we read, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32.  It is the truth of the gospel, if believed that will set us free from the law of sin and death.  The Jews then asked how can you set us free if we have never been enslaved.  Jesus then answers as follows.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34-36.     

Now, as a result of being free through Christ, we will also be hated.  “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” Matthew 10:22.  He also says, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” Matthew 24:9. We will be hated and persecuted.  We will suffer for the cause of Christ.  It is really showing itself now, what with all the limitations placed on Christianity that is applied to no other, particularly Islam which hates us and shows it openly.  Jesus warned us well ahead of time regarding this. 

However, Paul declares the following in our focus verse, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:32-35. Jesus, who died for our reconciliation who now sits at the right hand of God, intercedes for us.  We may have to go through the trials and persecution, just as many throughout history has.  Look at what Paul suffered.  Look at what many Christians in China, North Korea and the Islamic countries endure.  He may not take away their trials, but He is with them every step of the way.  He gives them the strength to stand strong in the midst of suffering.   “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.  And, “Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting. From my distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6

We must always remember that God is for us.  He sent His son to die for us for He loves us with an everlasting love.  We can rest in Him no matter our circumstances for there is nothing He cannot do.  “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” Jeremiah 32:17.  If a God who is all powerful and all loving is for us, who in reality can be against us?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.